William "Bill" Otto Gillam

William “Billy” Otto Gillam of Steelville, Missouri passed away Saturday, April 1, 2023 in Creve Coeur at the age of 67 years, 2 months and 4 days. He was born January 28, 1956 in Potosi, Missouri to Herman Lavern Gillam and Claudia L. Ager Gillam. He grew up around Berryman and Czar Tower area. Billy attended Valley High School in Caledonia. On July 20, 1974 at the Assembly of God Church in Viburnum, he was united in marriage to Deborah Tinker and to this union one son and one daughter were born.

Billy was employed at Doe Run for several years and retired in 2010. He attended Boss Assembly of God Church for the last fifteen years. He loved hunting deer, turkey, coyote and mushrooms and fishing. Billy loved to talk and visit and especially talk “Trump.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Claudia Gillam; two brothers, Roney Dale Gillam and Lavern Cloan (Kay) Gilliam; two sisters, Virginia Darlene Conway and Joyce Marie Boyer; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Lavern Dwight Tinker, David Lee Tinker and Doris Ann Cottrell.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of almost 49 years, Debbie Gillam of Steelville, MO; one son, Rodney (Natashia) Gillam of Steelville, MO; one daughter, Cindy (Ted) Pryor of Boss, MO; nine grandchildren, Hayden Matthew Gillam, Trenton William Brooks, Tony Lawrence Boesing, Logan James Gillam, Jorja Maxine Pryor, Callie LeAnn Boesing, Chloe Sophia Brynn Gillam, Christopher Aydin Boesing and Arlo Layne Gillam; brother, Jesse (Ann) Agers of Rock Hill, SC; sisters, Linda (John) Pyatt of Davisville, MO and Norma (Doug) Parks of Belgrade, MO; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vernon (Betty) Tinker of Cedar Hill, MO, Daniel Tinker of Davisville, MO, Jerry Cottrell of Viburnum, MO, Donna (Phillip) Metcalf of Steelville, MO and Diane Miner of Davisville, MO; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. On Thursday, April 6, 2023, the Family received friends from 12:00-Noon until service time at the Boss Assembly of God Church.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Boss Assembly of God Church in Boss, Missouri with Pastor Paul Davis officiating. A poem was read by Kirk Emory with memories shared. Special music of "Family Bible" was sung by Linda Pyatt and Pam Davis on piano. Other music of "Mansion Over the Hilltop" was played by Tommy Emory on flute, "I Believe" was sung and played by Kevin and Kim Abney and "No Place Like Home" was sung and played on guitar by Jorja Pryor.

Committal prayer and interment were on the Family Farm “Gillam Acres” at Steelville, MO.

Memorials may be given to the Evelyn House, 1000 N. Mason Rd., Creve Coeur, MO 63141

The Gillam Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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